Nobody likes having to shell out for a costly, unexpected repair job or replacement part for their car. Naturally, certain expenses cannot be avoided when it comes to motoring. However, the best way to sidestep any big, expensive surprises is to regularly stay on top of car maintenance, especially during the winter.
Battery
Battery problems are the main cause of breakdowns at any time of year, particularly when vehicles aren't being used very often. Your car may have a built-in battery monitor, but if not you can buy a manual monitor to check your battery's health.
If your vehicle is equipped with stop/start, it may automatically switch the engine off while you're trying to charge the battery. If this happens, it means the Battery Monitoring System has recognised the battery is fully charged, so you're good to go.
Leaving on a car's lights after turning the engine off is one of the most common causes of a flat battery, so don't forget to switch everything off as you leave the car, especially if it doesn't have a 'lights on' warning sound as you open the door.
You should also keep a pair of jump leads in your car at all times.
Tyres
Uninflated tyres are a major danger to you, your passengers and fellow road users. Be sure to consult your car manufacturer’s handbook to confirm the ideal tyre pressure for your car, as it varies from car to car. For this reason, you should always make sure to keep your handbook stored safely in your car for reference. Check your pressure regularly to make sure that your tyres are as they should be.
Your car’s tyres will gradually become more and more worn through regular use. Minimum tyre tread depth permitted on Irish roads is 1.6mm. However, experts agree that you should aim to keep a depth of at least 3mm to ensure your safety while on the road. Realistically, somewhere between 4mm and 8mm is your ideal tyre tread depth to optimize performance and safety. Check your tread depth every month or so to make sure that they are not becoming too worn.
Wipers
Make sure your wipers are in good condition and know when to change them. The most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your wiper blades is if they are starting to leave streaks or marks on your windscreen, or when they begin to squeak against the glass.
Air filter
Take a look at your car manufacturer’s handbook and see how often you should have your air filter replaced. A fresh filter will ensure that the air circulating throughout your car is clean and odorless. Aside from the quality of life benefits for you, a clean air filter will help to reduce your car’s emissions.
Regular servicing
At the absolute minimum, you should be getting your car serviced once a year. Regular services will ensure your car is in safe, working order and ready for whatever the Irish roads have to throw at you.
Clean your car
Last but not least, try to to give your car a good clean and wax regularly. Keeping the car well maintained will leave it better equipped to handle the stresses and strains of driving around every day exposed to the elements.
